Whether the upcoming cruise is a personal getaway or a family event, there is certain to be a ship and itinerary to suit your needs. It is important to keep in mind that not every cruise ship is family friendly so if you have little ones, or you are seeking a family environment for your next cruise, you will need to do some homework to make certain the holiday you choose is right for you.  

Taking a group or a family on a cruise will require some research into items such as the cruise ships onboard activities, as well as any onshore excursions. Do not be afraid to ask questions about what types of children’s activities the ship offers. Ask to see the entire list and make sure that your kids will be happy and entertained while at sea.  

It is also a good idea to also ask about the adult entertainment onboard, about family activities and shore excursions for the adults. Most children are not as interested in visiting historical monuments as their parents, however, a morning of sightseeing combined with an afternoon of adventure seeking, such as jeep tours or snorkelling can balance out the day.  

If your cruise holidays are intended for a personal getaway, there are heaps of cruise companies that cater to the singles crowd as well as the adult only group. A quick online search will provide many options from which to choose.

In the city centre itself, the Barri Gotic (Gothic Quarter) is home to many ancient buildings, some dating back to Roman times.  Many of the area’s twisting little streets are closed to most cars, making it a perfect place to wander slowly and appreciate the wide variety of impressive architecture.

One of Catalonia’s most famous sons, architect Antoni Gaudi, built his as yet unfinished masterwork here, the Sagrada Familia.  This large Roman Catholic Church is unique in its design, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as is Parc Guell which features his designs set into large landscaped gardens.

There are seven beaches along the coast of Barcelona, totalling 2.8 miles of coastline, meaning that even in summer there is space to sit.  The city centre is walkable, with a good metro service too, making getting around the main tourist sites easy.

Dordogne

Home to rich woodlands, lavish vineyards and rugged limestone hills, the region is named after the river that flows through it and visitors can take in its majesty on one of the many boat trips on offer.  Towns of the Dordogne are remarkably unspoilt and made up of a labyrinth of narrow streets.  The region is bursting with ancient and beautifully preserved history.  The cave paintings at Lascaux are the best in Europe.

Jura

Jura is home to the French Alps and exhibits a rugged landscape of ragged hills, sweeping gorges, expansive lakes and powerful waterfalls better than any of the other regions in France.  Imagine a view that draws the eye down an ice-blue river, sweeping through a lush pine forest, towards snow capped mountains beyond; such is the beauty of Jura.  The towns and villages magically blend the old and new without losing the atmosphere or charm.  Visit Chablis and Dijon for the best in Jura gastronomy – and don’t forget your walking boots!

Champagne

Champagne is a region of contrasts: to the north is the Ardennes forest with its forests of ancient oak, while to the south lie lakes and water meadows.  Between it all is the one thing that makes this most celebrated of regions famous: the triangle that joins Remes, Eperney and Chalons-sur-Marne. This is champagne country and it’s teeming with restaurants eager to serve food that lives up to the region’s reputation along with glasses of fantastic local wines.

Burgundy

Burgundy is the home of many famous vintages.  It’s also the home of Franche-Comte, or Burgundy’s “Free Country”, an area loved by outdoor enthusiasts.  Its hills and rivers are enjoyed by hikers and canoeists.  The area is packed with vineyards and the cuisine is as robust as its rouge.

One of the most beautiful destinations in the world is The United Mexican States, and if you want to escape the cold, you should think about heading to Mexico.  There are some wonderful discount packages that will leave you with plenty of spending money for gifts and souvenirs.  Airfare and accommodation is included as well as your meals of breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus snacks and alcoholic drinks.  Most of the all-inclusive resorts include sporting activities and nightly entertainment. Think about taking a charter-fishing trip with the money you save, if catching that illusive marlin is something that you have been dreaming about; your dream just may come true. 

All-inclusive resorts include benefits such as entertainment and dining, while allowing you the freedom to spend your holidays the way you like with more spending money in your pocket.

Circus Circus is home to the Adventuredome and will give your kids a day of fun that they will remember forever.   Set beneath a glass encasement, it houses some of the most thrilling rides in the whole city. Roller coasters, extreme rides and the Fun House Express are just a sampling of the attractions that Circus Circus has to offer. 

Gameworks was created by Steven Spielberg and is located on the Las Vegas Strip.  Inside the Showcase Mall it spreads out over 55,000 square feet and can accommodate up to 3,000 people.  The mega arcade has something for the entire family and includes racing games like The Fast and The Furious and WaveRunners.  Virtual Bowling is extremely popular and is sure to arouse some competitive spirit between you and your kids.  If you do not feel like participating, enjoy a delicious martini at The Glacier Bar.

Pry yourself away from the tables and take the family to Mirage.  Enjoy the Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat and see the wildest part of the city.  Watch the panthers, leopards, tigers and dolphins as they play and interact in their natural habitat.  If you really want to get involved became a dolphin trainer for the day.

Kids love to have fun, but they also like to spend time with their parents, and if you want a holiday that is fun for everyone, book your tickets to Las Vegas.  With so many discount packages available you would be a fool not to.

Travellers arriving by air fly in to Ljubljana, the fairy tale capital of Slovenia, filled with Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture.  The River Ljubljanica winds peacefully through the town, straddled by stone bridges and banked by restaurants and riverside bars.  Most of the pinturesque Old Town is pedestrianised and ideal for exploring on foot.

UK flights from Gatwick and Stansted fly into the airport where an affordable shuttle bus can take you into the city.  Modern and varied accommodation is available in the city, where there are even hotels literally fit for a Queen.  Such luminaries as Queen Elizabeth II and Bill Clinton have been accommodated at The Grand Hotel Union.  There are also elegant boutique hotels catering for the alternative party crowds, or if you fancy something different and unique you can even rent rooms in a converted prison.

About an hour to the north lies Slovenia’s most famous landmark.  Lake Bled is a magical stretch of water nestling in the Julian Alps.  A boat can take you into the centre of the mirrored lake where the tiny Church of the Assumption perches on an island.  Here you can ring the sixteenth century ‘bell of wishes’ housed in the chapel.

Slovenia really is a wonderful secret just waiting to be discovered.

Slip into one of the bars and ask for a bolleke (a ‘little bowl’) of one of Antwerp’s famous beers, maybe a De Koninck, a mild strength ale, or a Kriek Boon, a beautiful cherry beer.  If you decide to take some home – and you certainly will – visit the excellent Den Dorstvlegel beer shop.

Antwerp is a rising fashion city thanks to the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, which hosts perhaps the best fashion department in Europe.  Graduates tend to remain in the city to make their mark, rather than decamp to Paris or New York.

Its architecture spans medieval to modern, with The Cathedral of Our Lady dominating the skyline.

Head north of the centre to the quiet urban cool of Park Spoor Noord, a expansive centre of relaxation, play and entertainment that hosts concerts, sporting events, or if you prefer, a family picnic.

Ski schools offering lessons in English for beginners and intermediates of all ages are to be found all around Chamonix. The ski season usually begins in mid-December and with most of the slopes above the 2,000ft mark it is what is known as a ‘guaranteed snow’ resort. The slopes and ski areas are connected by a fast and reliable shuttle bus service and a sightseeing train, which provides passengers with panoramic views of the inspirational mountains.

If skiing is not your thing, there are plenty of other wonderful activities to make winter in Chamonix a great holiday destination. Snowshoeing can bring you from the town centre to the Mer de Glace; a coiling glacier accessible by picturesque railway train.17kms of snowy footpaths will take you into the depths of the winter landscape. If a little sightseeing further afield is on your agenda, Chamonix is close to several beautiful cities, including the nearby French town of Annecy, Switzerland’s Geneva and Aosta in Italy.

Husky sledding may be one of the most memorable activities Chamonix has to offer. An adventure lasting around one and a half hours, this is a magical experience. After a long day in the cold snow, unwind with a relaxing pampering session in one of Chamonix’s spas. The local fitness centre offers saunas, Turkish baths and a solarium, while the hotels scattered within the town boast newly refurbished spa facilities.

Experience the true meaning of winter in Chamonix with a skiing holiday. Whether you have been hitting the slopes or not, the après ski atmosphere is well-worth experiencing. Relax with a glass of ‘vin chaud’ or a mug of ‘chocolat chaud’ in one of the town’s many cafes or restaurants. With world-class casinos and a cinema that often features films in their original languages, there is no end to the entertainment offered in this international French town.

The most important consideration will be the intended area in which to stay. It should be as close to the attractions as possible. This makes it convenient to travel to the attractions on the itinerary without having to spend a lot of time driving in heavy traffic. An ideal holiday rental should be no more than 20 minutes from intended destinations by car.

It is important to find out what the maximum sleeping capacity is for the rental. Usually, there will be at least one master bedroom intended for a couple, with additional bedrooms or sleeping facilities in the living area. There is also usually at least one full bath, with additional water closets.

These types of rentals are self-catering. However, individual amenities may vary somewhat. If the property is on a beach, it is a good idea to find out if beach gear is included. If not, beach towels, sand toys or other items can usually be purchased from nearby shops. You will also find full dinner sets with cutlery for meals. Some properties may provide food items for breakfast or other meals to help save guests a trip to the grocer.

Because Australia is quite far away it can be fairly expensive, well compared to your Mediterranean cruises, however they tend to be comparable to Caribbean cruises in price. If you are a savvy shopper you could probably find some good cruise deals online or from a travel agent, however for an experience like this you probably don’t want to scrimp on the price too much.

There is no better way to see all of what Australia has to offer than on a cruise holiday it’s such a vast country traveling by land can be exhausting. With cruise holidays you get to explore the best the country has to offer such as; Sydney, Darwin, Kakadu wilderness, Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef without having to worry about getting around.

Other Australasia cruises also include visits to Tasmania, New Zealand and Hawaii, which means you can pack even more fantastic, tropical destinations into your holiday.